The other side: The Assessment

Prologue: I'm in, I'm in!

Isabella's POV:

I was coming home from another long day. Between my classes, work and the exam period fast approaching, I knew I was heading towards burnout, but I still insisted. I was hoping something better might be headed my way. I was breathing through my last resources of power. And once that started, I reminded myself that only a month separated me from my summer of peace.

I thought those thoughts as I unlocked my student housing and came into the hallway. I could already hear voices; my roommates weren't among the calmest people I knew. They threw parties, and our little kitchen and living room space quickly became too crowded. I usually just said hi and retreated to my room. Today, I wasn't planning on doing anything other than that. I was tired and overwhelmed with the amount of work that I needed to get done by the end of the week. It was Wednesday, so that also meant I needed to wash my hair.

I internally groaned as I was adding up the hours it would take me to do everything. I would go to bed at one. Before I could put my bag down in my room and shimmy out of my light jumper, Tonia interrupted me, "Hey, Isa, a letter came for you. It's waiting in the lobby."

My plan went out the window as eight pairs of eyes landed on me, "Oh, hey, everyone." I waved at them with my free hand, "I'm Isabella."

They all nodded in sympathy as Anya asked, "Coming home from classes?"

I nodded, "Yup, today was brutal. So, I'm just going to drop my bag in my room, and then I'll join you for a couple of minutes." I didn't want to seem rude, but honestly, the last thing I wanted was to be around them. My social battery has run out after a long day at university and then at work in a small flower shop.

"Great, I'll mix you up something to drink," Anya said before I could protest. She knew I don't drink often, but she still insisted on mixing me a drink.

After I changed out of my jumper to a simple T-shirt, I took a deep breath in and started going over my excuses. I knew I was going on their last nerves, always being in my room and not initiating contact. However, they didn't seem to understand that I took my degree seriously, that I took my life seriously. I could just say I still had some work to do for an online marketing firm that I've taken up in the past month.

As I was making my way into the kitchen, Tonia brushed past me, "I'm getting us the food that we ordered. You can help me as you get your letter?" I sighed in relief; she was offering me a way out.

"Sure," I followed her, but what I was meaning to say was, "Thanks." I kept quiet about that, not wanting to show how much it bothered me. We made our way downstairs as Tonia spoke quietly, "We're going to a party downtown if you want to join us?"

"No, sorry. I've got an early morning tomorrow, and then I've got a new job offering later." I shook my head.

"Oh, but you should go out with us." She beamed with pride as she remembered all the times she went out and had a great time.

"I know, and I will, but I am currently a little bit swamped," I sighed. I didn't think she would understand. She came from a comfortable family, and although my family wasn't poor, I knew I needed to work for my education. I had a trip to Italy planned in the summer. And if I would get a position at the conference, I would need all the money I can gather for my expenses there. That's why I've been working my but off for the past four months. And if you didn't get a spot on the conference? A little voice in my head asked. "Then, at least I'll have something saved up for buying myself an apartment after college," I answered.

"Oh, okay," she nodded as we reached the ground floor.

I went straight to the security guard, who was at the same time our receptionist. "Hey, I'm Isabella. I've heard a letter came for me."

He nodded as he looked in little boxes with numbers of rooms in the building. He didn't even ask for my ID, which took me back a little. Anybody could get my letter, my details. This wasn't responsible. "Here you go," he outstretched his hand with a letter that had a stamp from Milan.

This was it, I thought to myself as I thanked him. This was the time I got to know if I was in or if I was out. I looked around me for Tonia, but she was already outside waiting for the delivery man. I opened the letter; I couldn't wait any longer. I needed to know if I got the summer I was working so hard for.

I skimmed the lines, searching for the words, "We regret to inform you..." But instead, there it was, "We are pleased to accept your enrolment in the conference and course about Assessment in psychology."

I jumped up and down, my heart beating fast. My summer in Italy was there in black and white, signed, sealed and delivered. I sighed as a big smile spread across my face. "I got in, I got in," I whispered to myself, trying to make myself believe it.

"Where did you go?" Tonia asked, with pizza boxes staked upon one another beside the doorway.

"I got a spot in the course about Assessment in psychology in Italy," I beamed with pride. She smiled quickly, but not before I could see a shadow of jealousy on her face.

The jealousy was there. I knew it. It was only further confirmed as we got into our apartment, and she said to everyone, "Our little Isa here will be spending her summer in Italy, so I guess she is too good to be hanging out with us."

That little comment broke me because I tried to be nice. I tried to stay out of their way, but somehow, someway, they always made me feel guilty for placing boundaries between myself and them. So, as the evening progressed, I kept up with small talk before I noticed that it was nine in the evening. Knowing I already lost an hour with them, I excused myself and started making a new plan for the night.

I showered and got on with my schoolwork. Then, I did a marketing presentation. Before I could lay to bed, two o'clock passed. And despite me being tired, I was feeling accomplished. In less than a month and a half, I would be in Italy for two weeks, where I would have courses in the morning and sightseeing in the afternoons. The trip could only be topped off with a summer romance, which was the last thing on my mind as dreams lulled me into a peaceful sleep.